Soya Chunks Pulao is a one of my favourite recipes to use soya chunks in. This simple rice dish is made by cooking Basmati Rice with soya chunks, also known as Meal Maker, and a combination of aromatic Indian spices. Serve with simple Bhindi Raita or Roasted Eggplant Raita.
This meal maker pulao is a delicious and easy meal option for lunchboxes and a busy weeknights. Soya chunks are incredibly protein-rich, making them an excellent meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans. If you love soya chunks, do try my soya chunks 65 recipe as well.
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Today, I want to share a delightful and protein-packed soya chunks pulao recipe made in the pressure cooker, that has become a staple in my kitchen. This one-pot recipe is a must-try if you want to add a delicious twist to your regular pulao.
Soya Chunks Pulao is a delicious pulao made with fragrant basmati rice, tender soya chunks, and various spices cooked to perfection. The soya chunks are first soaked in hot water to ensure they become plump and tender, ready to absorb the rich flavours.
This one-pot soya rice blends flavours and textures, making it an absolute delight for the taste buds and the senses. This meal maker rice is almost close to a soya chunks biryani because of its taste, texture and marination.
This one-pot, pressure cooker soya chunks pulao is easy to make with easily available ingredients. With the right amount of marination and freshly made spice paste, this delicious nutrela pulao will soon become a favourite in your household.
What is Soya Chunks?
Soya chunks, also known as soy chunks, meal maker, or nutrela derive from defatted soy flour to create textured vegetable protein. Due to their high protein content and versatility, they have gained popularity as a preferred plant-based protein option, especially among vegetarians and vegans. They are also low in fat and fibre, making them a wholesome protein option.
Soya chunks are incredibly versatile and can be used in various dishes. They absorb the flavours of the spices and sauces they are cooked with, making them perfect for curries, stews, stir-fries, biryanis, and more. They can also be soaked, marinated, and used in snacks and appetizers.
Why you will love Soya Chunks Pulao
Quick and Easy: As much as I love spending time in the kitchen, there are days when I want a delicious meal without the fuss. Soya Chunks Pulao comes to the rescue with its simplicity and ease of preparation. This one pot Soya Chunks Pulao can be made with easily available ingredients in your pressure cooker.
Customizable: You can get creative with this meal maker pulao by adding your favourite vegetables or adjusting the spice level to suit your taste preferences. You can also add coconut milk instead of water to cook the Pulao. The most popular choice is to add green peas or potatoes.
Wholesome: Soya chunks are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, making this soya rice not only delicious but also a nutritious meal option.
Great for Leftovers: Like most rice dishes, Soya Chunks Pulao tastes just as wonderful the next day, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping or a packed lunch box.
How to make Soya Chunks Pulao in Pressure Cooker
Add Fennel Seeds, Cardamom, Clove, Cinnamon stick, Green Chillies, Ginger, Garlic, Tomato, Coriander Leaves and Mint Leaves to a mixie jar. Grind well to make a fine paste.
Add water to a pan and bring to a boil. Add salt and 1 cup soya chunks. Soak soya chunks and let it absorb all the water. Let the soya chunks cook for 10-15 minutes.
By then, the soya chunks would have turned soft and doubled in size. Drain the water and allow the soya chunks to cool to room temperature. Using your hands, gently squeeze the soya chunks and remove any excess water.
Add Thick Yogurt, Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder, and Garam Masala Powder to a mixing bowl. Mix together.
Add the cooked soya chunks and mix again gently. Make sure the soya chunks are completely marinated. Let the soya chunks marinate for 30 minutes.
Wash and soak the Basmati Rice in enough water for 20 minutes.
Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker. Once hot, add the bay leaf. Add the onion and saute until it turns translucent. Add the freshly ground paste.
Saute for a couple of minutes. Add the marinated soya chunks and mix well. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add water. Check for salt and add more if needed. Drain the water from the soaked Basmati Rice and keep it ready. Once the water in the cooker starts boiling, add the soaked Rice. Gently mix and close the cooker. Cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Switch off and let the pressure release naturally. Open the cooker and gently fluff the Soya Chunks Pulao.
You can add a teaspoon of lemon juice for an extra flavour. This step is completely optional.
Serve hot with raita or any other side dish of your choice. Dahi Baingan is a great side dish for this soya pulao.
Best ways to serve Soya Chunks Pulao
Pair the meal maker pulao with a cooling cucumber raita or a classic onion-tomato raita. The creamy and refreshing raita will balance the spiciness of the pulao and add a delightful contrast to the meal.
If you’re a fan of pickles, try serving a small bowl of mango pickle or lime pickle alongside the pulao.
Serve some crunchy papadums (papads) or chips on the side of one pot soya pulao. The crispy texture and subtle flavours of papadums complement the pulao beautifully.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely, yes! You can make this soya pulao in your Instant Pot. Follow the same instructions and PRESSURE COOK in Instant Pot for 5 minutes. Once done, release pressure manually after 10 minutes.
Yes! Adding vegetables to Soya Chunks Pulao is a great way to enhance the flavour and visual appeal of the dish.
Vegetables not only add a burst of colour but also contribute to making the pulao even more wholesome. Green peas, carrots, and potatoes can be added to this meal maker pulao.
Yes. While adding other spices, biryani masala powder can also be added to the soaked soya chunks.
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Recipe Card
Soya Chunks Pulao in Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup Soya Chunks
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 2 tablespoon Ghee/Oil
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Onion thinly sliced
- Salt as needed
- 1 & ½ cups Water to cook rice
- 3 cups Water to cook Soya Chunks
To marinate Soya Chunks
- 2 tablespoon Thick Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
To make as a paste
- 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
- 1 Cardamom
- 1 Clove
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 2 Green Chillies
- 1 small piece Ginger
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 medium size Tomato
- few Coriander Leaves
- few Mint Leaves
Instructions
To make as a paste
- Add ingredients under "To make as a paste" to a mixie jar. Grind to a fine paste without adding any water.
Cook the Soya Chunks
- Add 3 cups of water to a pan and bring to a boil. Add a little salt and soya chunks. Let the soya chunks absorb all the water. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
- By then, the soya chunks would have turned soft and doubled in size. Drain the water and allow the soya chunks to cool down to room temperature. Using your hands, gently squeeze the soya chunks and remove any excess water.
Marinate the Soya Chunks
- Add ingredients under "to marinate Soya Chunks" to a bowl. Mix them together. Add the soya chunks and mix again gently. Make sure the soya chunks are completely marinated. Let the soya chunks marinate for 30 minutes.
Soak the Basmati Rice
- Wash and soak the Basmati Rice in enough water for 20 minutes.
Make Soya Chunks Pulao
- Add ghee/oil to a pressure cooker. Once hot, add bay leaf.
- Add the onion and saute till it turns translucent.
- Add the freshly ground paste. Saute for a couple of minutes.
- Add the marinated soya chunks and mix well. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1&½ cups of water. Check for salt and add more if needed.
- Drain the water from the soaked Basmati Rice and keep it ready.
- Once the water in the cooker starts boiling, add the Basmati Rice. Gently mix and close the cooker. Cook for 2 whistles on medium flame.
- Switch off and let the pressure release naturally. Open the cooker and gently fluff the Soya Chunks Pulao.
- Serve hot with raita or any other side dish of your choice.